Swiss high-speed interface technology provider Kandou recently unveiled the world's first small form factor PCIe Transport Layer Switch, Zetti, at the OCP Global Summit. Thomas Boudrot, VP of Sales and Business Development, spoke with CTIMES about the product's technical features and Kandou's outlook on the PCIe market.
Zetti is a PCIe 5.0-ready, 7-port (8-lane) data switch with full backward compatibility from PCIe 1.0 to 4.0. Its most striking feature is its compact size, with a package size of just 5.5 mm x 10 mm, designed specifically for small form factor and low-power systems.
Boudrot stated that Zetti is suitable not only for the enterprise market but also for applications with lower-end CPUs and limited PCIe ports. Connecting to this switch allows for flexible mixing and matching of different end devices, not necessarily all Gen 5. This allows users to connect, for example, a PCIe storage device (Gen 3) to an edge accelerator (potentially Gen 5) or a wireless sensor.
Boudrot further pointed out that this product has excellent market potential as it fills an industry gap. The development of such small switches has been largely neglected as traditional switch companies have shifted their focus to very high-end solutions.
As for the emphasis on small size, Boudrot explained that Kandou believes it will be integrated into applications in markets such as IoT, telecom, and industrial PCs. Low power consumption is critical in these areas, necessitating a small chip with a compact form factor. In fact, he mentioned a client whose system couldn't utilize a PCIe retimer due to its lack of low-power performance. This new solution consumes almost no power when not actively switching data. This is why the small size is crucial, as it will be used in space-constrained applications while meeting low-power requirements.
Regarding the adoption timeline, Boudrot believes that PCIe 5.0 will gradually become mainstream with the continued development of AI applications, but it will take some time.
He noted that initial customers won't immediately use it with Gen 5, but Kandou's switch is fully backward compatible, supporting Gen 5 down to Gen 1. The key takeaway is that customers can design systems with existing components, such as Gen 3, Gen 4, or even Gen 1 or Gen 2 end devices. By incorporating the Zetti switch, they can future-proof their systems. This is particularly important for industrial PCs, which often need to operate in the field for extended periods.
Moreover, Boudrot believes that AI will drive the growth of Gen 5 applications very rapidly in the next two to three years.
Boudrot emphasized that Kandou's goal is to provide flexibility for systems with limited PCIe ports. By connecting to a small CPU, users gain the ability to upgrade to PCIe 5.0. This allows customers to switch between different end devices and prepare for the future with higher speeds.
Additionally, Zetti offers robust security features, crucial for IoT systems, telecom, and PCs. Kandou has incorporated secure boot support in the switch to prevent cyberattacks.
Boudrot expressed confidence that this comprehensive system will generate significant interest and attention during OCP.
